New charges laid in Ontario-wide child exploitation sting
One of 36 men arrested in a massive Ontario child exploitation roundup made a remote court appearance in Brampton today from a remand detention facility.
One of 36 men arrested in a massive Ontario child exploitation roundup made a remote court appearance in Brampton today from a remand detention facility.
Kanav Bhatia, 24, appeared in Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton today after being remanded into custody earlier this month.
He is one of 36 men arrested during a 12-day, “To Catch a Predator”-style child-luring and sexual exploitation sting that spanned over 20 law-enforcement agencies across Ontario.
Between March 31 and April 11, Ontario Provincial Police, in collaboration with regional, municipal, and First Nations police services, posed as minors online and identified individuals who sought to meet children for sexual purposes.
In all, 36 men were arrested and charged with a total of 128 offences.
The accused range in age from 18 to 73, and investigators say nine actual child victims have been identified and are now receiving support.
Bhatia, one of the first arrestees according to police documents, was originally arrested on April 4. Peel Regional Police allege that between March 23 and April 1, he used social media to lure and sexually assault two girls under the age of 16.
Initial charges included two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference, one count each of making, transmitting, and possessing child pornography, four counts of luring a person under 16, and one count of luring a person under 18.
In today’s court appearance, two additional charges were added to his case. He was ordered to remain in custody, with his next hearing set for June 16.
Police say more than 50 additional investigations remain active as a result of leads from the recent operation.
These are not Canadian. They are Indians. Stop allowing them in our Country. Raping children is a cultural thing. Did you see the interview with the Indian that set up a meeting with a 14 year old girl. He said he had no idea that it was against the law because he planned on grooming and marrying her. Their culture doesn't mix with Canadian beliefs and morals. They need to go.
Why are they showing parked police cars. Why not show the pictures of the creeps arrested.